Planning Ahead for Southwell Leisure Centre
- Southwell Leisure Centre Trust
- Sep 18
- 3 min read
Dear Southwell residents,
We want to keep you updated on the future of Southwell Leisure Centre and the steps we’re taking to ensure it remains at the heart of our community for many years to come.
Partnership with Active4Today
Southwell Leisure Centre is currently operated by Active4Today on behalf of the Trust. Active4Today has confirmed that, while their operating model isn’t the right long-term fit for Southwell, they will continue to support the Centre until March 2026.
This means customers will continue to be supported, and services will carry on as normal while we go through the process of appointing a new long-term operator.
Excitingly, when the new operator takes over Southwell Leisure Centre, residents will have the chance to explore a new range of membership options designed specifically for Southwell. These will offer greater flexibility and choice, allowing you to select the membership that best suits your lifestyle and make the most of everything the new operator has to offer.
We’d like to thank Active4Today for their continued commitment to ensuring a smooth handover when the time comes.
New Long-Term Operator
The tender process to appoint a new 15-year operator is now underway. We are engaging with potential partners who share our vision to make Southwell Leisure Centre an affordable, modern, inclusive, and sustainable hub for health, fitness, and community activity.
In selecting the new operator, the Trust will be looking for a partner who can:
Demonstrate a strong track record in running community leisure facilities.
Provide the expertise and resources needed to deliver the swimming pool repair in the most cost-effective and efficient way.
Invest in the Centre to improve facilities, programming, and accessibility.
We believe this approach will secure not only the reopening of the pool, but also a wider programme of improvements that will make the Centre more welcoming, inclusive, and financially sustainable.
We remain on track to appoint the new operator by November 2025, with a handover planned for early 2026.
What’s On & How You Can Support
Although the main pool is closed, the Centre remains active and welcoming — with public swimming and lessons in the training pool, gym sessions, fitness classes, community activities, and space available for hire.
There’s also a wide range of racquet sports on offer, including squash, badminton, table tennis, and our brand-new pickleball club, giving members of all ages and abilities the chance to get involved, stay active, and have fun.
The most powerful way you can support the Centre is by becoming a member. Every membership provides vital, regular income that helps us keep the Centre running and secure its long-term future.
You can also help by:
Encouraging friends, neighbours, and local groups to join or return
Using the Centre regularly for classes, the gym, or room hire
Taking part in upcoming community consultations to share your views
Thank You
We know how important Southwell Leisure Centre is — not only as a place to stay active, but also as a place to connect, learn, and thrive. With your support, and by working closely with the team currently running the Centre and our future partners, we are confident the Centre will have a sustainable and exciting future.
Thank you for standing with us.
Warm regards,
Southwell Leisure Centre Trust (SLCT)
Contact Us
If you have any questions, comments, or would like to share your views about the future of Southwell Leisure Centre, please get in touch:
Contact: Jo Harbord, Trustee, Southwell Leisure Centre Trust
We’d love to hear from you.
